1. Are you a Non-Traditional Student?

2. Non-traditional Paths to Medical School Tarik Asmerom, MS1 Zia Okocha, MS1 Aida Bounama, MS4 Tarik Asmerom, MS1 Zia Okocha, MS1 Aida Bounama, MS4

3. Facts about the Non- Traditional Student  Definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college o Usually takes at least one year off  Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation  The 2011 Perelman School of Medicine entering first year class:  60% are non-traditional students  Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 21-30)  Definition: any student who does not go straight to medical school after graduating from college o Usually takes at least one year off  Growing percentage of students entering medical school have taken one or more years off before matriculation  The 2011 Perelman School of Medicine entering first year class:  60% are non-traditional students  Average age at matriculation is 23 (Range: 21-30)

4. Why take time off?  Pursue a passion  Improve credentials for application  Change career to medicine  Mature and grow as a person  Pursue a passion  Improve credentials for application  Change career to medicine  Mature and grow as a person

5. What can I do before applying to medical school? A few examples:  Research o NIH http://www.training.nih.gov/student/pre-irta/previewpostbac.asp http://www.training.nih.gov/student/pre-irta/previewpostbac.asp  Travel/ Global Experiences o Unite for Sight http://www.uniteforsight.org http://www.uniteforsight.org  Community Service Work in the US o Teach for America http:///teachforamerica.org http:///teachforamerica.org  Other Types of Employment  Academic Enhancement o Post baccalaureate program o Another degree  Research o NIH http://www.training.nih.gov/student/pre-irta/previewpostbac.asp http://www.training.nih.gov/student/pre-irta/previewpostbac.asp  Travel/ Global Experiences o Unite for Sight http://www.uniteforsight.org http://www.uniteforsight.org  Community Service Work in the US o Teach for America http:///teachforamerica.org http:///teachforamerica.org  Other Types of Employment  Academic Enhancement o Post baccalaureate program o Another degree

6. What should I keep in mind while taking time off before medical school?  Get letters of recommendation:  Stay in touch with professors to ensure they have submitted (or are in the process of submitting) their letters for you  Get recommendations from Post Baccalaureate program, graduate degree professors/administrators, supervisor/research advisor after graduation  Describe worthwhile experiences after graduation in your application  Be aware of deadlines:  Take MCAT on time  Apply early in the application season  Get letters of recommendation:  Stay in touch with professors to ensure they have submitted (or are in the process of submitting) their letters for you  Get recommendations from Post Baccalaureate program, graduate degree professors/administrators, supervisor/research advisor after graduation  Describe worthwhile experiences after graduation in your application  Be aware of deadlines:  Take MCAT on time  Apply early in the application season

7. Are there programs which can help me become a competitive medical school applicant?  Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees  19% of 2011 entering class completed Post-Bac programs  Types of Post-Bac programs: 1.Changing career to medicine 2.Completing science requirements 3.Enhancing academic record  Post Baccalaureate Website:  http//services.aamc.org/postbac/  Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs assist students prepare for medical school after having received their bachelor’s degrees  19% of 2011 entering class completed Post-Bac programs  Types of Post-Bac programs: 1.Changing career to medicine 2.Completing science requirements 3.Enhancing academic record  Post Baccalaureate Website:  http//services.aamc.org/postbac/

8. In addition to the Post Bac programs are there others?  Graduate degree programs might be another alternative. o Make sure the degree program has biomedical science courses, because admissions committees want to see if you can handle a lot of these types of subjects o MPH might also be a path, but first discuss this type of degree with your pre-health advisor and/or medical school admissions directors, because it’s important that you can demonstrate your facility with biomedical science. o Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!  Graduate degree programs might be another alternative. o Make sure the degree program has biomedical science courses, because admissions committees want to see if you can handle a lot of these types of subjects o MPH might also be a path, but first discuss this type of degree with your pre-health advisor and/or medical school admissions directors, because it’s important that you can demonstrate your facility with biomedical science. o Attempt to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible!

9. Time off during Medical School  Research  For competitive specialties  School funded grants  National grants  Mentor funded  Additional Degrees  International Clinical Experiences  Personal Time – Leave of Absence  Research  For competitive specialties  School funded grants  National grants  Mentor funded  Additional Degrees  International Clinical Experiences  Personal Time – Leave of Absence

10. Questions? Contact Us:  Tarik Asmerom: tarika@upenn.edutarika@upenn.edu  Zia Okocha: eoko@upenn.edueoko@upenn.edu  Aida Bounama: aidab@upenn.eduaidab@upenn.edu Contact Us:  Tarik Asmerom: tarika@upenn.edutarika@upenn.edu  Zia Okocha: eoko@upenn.edueoko@upenn.edu  Aida Bounama: aidab@upenn.eduaidab@upenn.edu